| Wayarc Daily | September 17, 2025
Oklahoma City officials are sounding the alarm over a new phone scam targeting local residents with fake threats of arrest and bogus court fines. The scam involves callers posing as employees of the Oklahoma City Municipal Court, demanding immediate payment for alleged tickets—and threatening jail time if victims don’t comply.
City officials confirmed that the scammers are spoofing legitimate court phone numbers, making the calls appear authentic. In some cases, victims were told they’d be arrested if they showed up at the courthouse without paying first.
“If someone calls you demanding money and claims to be from the court, hang up and call us directly,” said a spokesperson for the Municipal Court. “We will never threaten arrest over the phone.”
What You Need to Know
- The scam: Callers impersonate court staff, demand payment for fake fines, and threaten jail time.
- The tactic: They spoof official court numbers to appear legitimate.
- The truth: The Municipal Court does not collect payments or issue arrest threats by phone.
Officials urge anyone who receives such a call to contact the Municipal Court directly at (405) 297-3898, or visit the Customer Service Window at the courthouse, open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Stay Scam-Smart
This incident is part of a growing trend of impersonation scams across the U.S., where fraudsters use fear and urgency to trick victims into sending money. Oklahoma City officials are working to raise awareness and encourage residents to verify any suspicious communication.
If you’re unsure about a call, don’t engage. Instead:
- Ask for the caller’s name and department.
- Hang up and call the official number listed on the city’s website.